Barking at the Knot

Barking at the Knot

Understanding the hidden history of animal services

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  • The History of Pets as Gifts: It’s Complicated.

    The controversy around giving pets as gifts didn’t develop for the reasons you might think. Check out how the concept has been viewed and how it has changed over the last 100 years.

    Audrey Lodato

    December 18, 2025
    Animal Welfare
    1990s, Accountability, animal control, Animal Welfare, animal welfare history, animals, Cats, dog, dogs, history, pets, Pets as gifts, Rabies, Spay and neuter, the humane movement
  • In the Arms of the Angel: The Strange History of Sadvertising

    As an industry, we’ve often resorted to shocking imagery to relate to the public. But why? The history of Sadvertising has unexpected roots.

    Audrey Lodato

    November 28, 2025
    1980s, 1990s, Animal Welfare
    Advertising, animal control, animal shelters, Animal Welfare, animals, Cats, dogs, history, In the arms of the angel, pets, Sadvertising, Sarah McLaughlin, Shock and horror, Spay and neuter, The ASPCA, the humane movement, Transparency, Transparent, writing

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